Records must be retained in accordance with existing policies and current legislation.
a) Records must be retained for a minimum of 8 years after the conclusion of treatment.
b) Obstetric records must be held for 25 years.
c) Records relating to children and young people must be kept until the patient’s 25th birthday, or 8 years after the last entry if longer.
d) Patient records must be stored securely at all times.
e) Computerised physiotherapy records must be registered under the Data Protection Act 1984.
f) Records can only be released with the patient’s permission.
g) A patient or carer must be made aware that the patient’s records may be accessed in accordance with health authority policy.
h) A procedure must be in place for patients to access their post November 1991 records.
[February 2009]